I felt like I learned a lot of lessons through observation during my Costa Rica volunteering trip in particular. I am tempted to jot down the lessons in bullets as below.
Life Lesson 1
Sunburn Experience
During surfing, my skin became terribly sunburnt. Even though I took the necessary precautions by applying sunscreen etc, my skin(especially near my shoulders) got terribly sunburnt
Lesson 1
Sunburns are not necessarily the best thing to experience. However, experiencing it without resistance would enable us to uncover the hidden positive end result in any situation; like in this case the appearance of new healthy skin after the ugly unhealthy old skin is peeled away.
Life Lesson 2
Carpentry Experience
While doing carpentry we were searching for a sharp pencil to make markings on the wood. However, all that we found was a blunt pencil. One of the fellow volunteers skilfully used the saw as a sharpener to sharpen the pencil.
Lesson 2.1
Make the most of existing tools by thinking of innovative ways to use a tool for a slightly different purpose. aka. TOOL REUSE
Wood Sawing Experience
To saw wood skilfully we had to make gentle and slow saw strokes initially. Once a groove is made in the intended marked position we can apply more pressure and draw swifter saw strokes to saw wood based on available time.
Lesson 2.2
To let the saw to do the work for us. aka KNOW YOUR TOOLS
Lesson 2.2.1
To be cautious at the start of any project with slow measured/calculated steps when unsure and later on proceeding with greater involvement depending on results obtained from initial steps. aka LEARN TO BE PRUDENT AS OPPOSED TO BEING IMPULSIVE/RASH.
Life Lesson 3
Bon Fire Experience
After reaching Costa Rica we saw the first sunset by the beach alongside a bonfire we had set up.
Must say, I could not help but observe the parallels between setting up a bonfire and successful team collaboration. It is a group activity that enhances team collaboration through its diverse tasks such as gathering wood, assembling it in a pile, lighting the pyre and continuously feeding/ flaming the fire by blowing air until the fire grows. It shows how great tasks cannot be achieved by just one person and that it requires a team of diverse people to get together to successfully accomplish any task. We worked together as a team to collect wood and splitting the other tasks amongst each other to get the bonfire started.
Lesson 3
TEAM BUILDING
Life Lesson 4
Zip-line Experience
The Experience: While on zip-line tour I met a fellow tourist who was also taking part in the zip-line adventure. However, he was fairly old and overweight as well and found it difficult to complete the zip-line tour; that he needed a guide to help him successfully complete the zip-line journey without difficulty. At the end of the line, I heard him say that he had been like a brave fool in trying out the zip-line adventure.
Life lesson 5
Jaguar rescue center visit
The Experience:
We got a chance to visit the Jaguar Animal Rescue center. The guide showed us different species of reptiles, birds, and mammals. She also explained how the rescue center management "loved the animals enough to let them go" once the injured/diseased animals gained their health back.
Lesson 5.1
Love animals enough to let them free. This made me ponder on the truth of the statement of how letting loved ones be free to live their lives in their own terms is the highest expression of love as opposed to trying to set rules/ restrictions(thinking it is in their best interest) on what loved ones like children/ spouses/ close friends and relatives can do and cannot do.
Lesson 5.2
We got to see a friendly deer(unafraid of humans) which cannot survive in the jungle on its own as it would be easy prey for hunters. This made me draw a parallel to the importance of prudence while making friends
Life Lesson 6
Cleaning the Beach Experience
The Experience
As part of the volunteering trip, we set out to clean a beach which was filled with plastic junk/rotting leaves and coconut shells.
Lesson 6
Environment friendliness. Got to observe the detrimental effects of only taking from any source. How giving back in this case in terms of service actually brings about inner fulfillment/ joy of accomplishment.
Life Lesson 1
Sunburn Experience
During surfing, my skin became terribly sunburnt. Even though I took the necessary precautions by applying sunscreen etc, my skin(especially near my shoulders) got terribly sunburnt
Lesson 1
Sunburns are not necessarily the best thing to experience. However, experiencing it without resistance would enable us to uncover the hidden positive end result in any situation; like in this case the appearance of new healthy skin after the ugly unhealthy old skin is peeled away.
Life Lesson 2
Carpentry Experience
While doing carpentry we were searching for a sharp pencil to make markings on the wood. However, all that we found was a blunt pencil. One of the fellow volunteers skilfully used the saw as a sharpener to sharpen the pencil.
Lesson 2.1
Make the most of existing tools by thinking of innovative ways to use a tool for a slightly different purpose. aka. TOOL REUSE
Wood Sawing Experience
To saw wood skilfully we had to make gentle and slow saw strokes initially. Once a groove is made in the intended marked position we can apply more pressure and draw swifter saw strokes to saw wood based on available time.
Lesson 2.2
To let the saw to do the work for us. aka KNOW YOUR TOOLS
Lesson 2.2.1
To be cautious at the start of any project with slow measured/calculated steps when unsure and later on proceeding with greater involvement depending on results obtained from initial steps. aka LEARN TO BE PRUDENT AS OPPOSED TO BEING IMPULSIVE/RASH.
Life Lesson 3
Bon Fire Experience
After reaching Costa Rica we saw the first sunset by the beach alongside a bonfire we had set up.
Must say, I could not help but observe the parallels between setting up a bonfire and successful team collaboration. It is a group activity that enhances team collaboration through its diverse tasks such as gathering wood, assembling it in a pile, lighting the pyre and continuously feeding/ flaming the fire by blowing air until the fire grows. It shows how great tasks cannot be achieved by just one person and that it requires a team of diverse people to get together to successfully accomplish any task. We worked together as a team to collect wood and splitting the other tasks amongst each other to get the bonfire started.
Lesson 3
TEAM BUILDING
Life Lesson 4
Zip-line Experience
The Experience: While on zip-line tour I met a fellow tourist who was also taking part in the zip-line adventure. However, he was fairly old and overweight as well and found it difficult to complete the zip-line tour; that he needed a guide to help him successfully complete the zip-line journey without difficulty. At the end of the line, I heard him say that he had been like a brave fool in trying out the zip-line adventure.
Lesson 4
It is important to understand the fine line between bravery/foolishness.Life lesson 5
Jaguar rescue center visit
The Experience:
We got a chance to visit the Jaguar Animal Rescue center. The guide showed us different species of reptiles, birds, and mammals. She also explained how the rescue center management "loved the animals enough to let them go" once the injured/diseased animals gained their health back.
Lesson 5.1
Love animals enough to let them free. This made me ponder on the truth of the statement of how letting loved ones be free to live their lives in their own terms is the highest expression of love as opposed to trying to set rules/ restrictions(thinking it is in their best interest) on what loved ones like children/ spouses/ close friends and relatives can do and cannot do.
Lesson 5.2
We got to see a friendly deer(unafraid of humans) which cannot survive in the jungle on its own as it would be easy prey for hunters. This made me draw a parallel to the importance of prudence while making friends
Life Lesson 6
Cleaning the Beach Experience
The Experience
As part of the volunteering trip, we set out to clean a beach which was filled with plastic junk/rotting leaves and coconut shells.
Lesson 6
Environment friendliness. Got to observe the detrimental effects of only taking from any source. How giving back in this case in terms of service actually brings about inner fulfillment/ joy of accomplishment.
Vidya nice piece, I especially liked Lesson 5.1- very true and perhaps easier said than done :)
ReplyDeletethanks a lot for the note :). I cannot agree more than 5.1 is easier said than done.
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